[Savvvylu]

Hi guys! Lucy is almost one years old! But she still can't settle when she's tired unless she's in her crate. I've tried just letting her plop down to chill instead of crating but she only sleeps in her crate with a blanket on it. We've crate trained her since her first week, but I'm so used to our other dogs by this age to be able to plop down and nap anywhere. If I don't crate her when she's exhausted she paces and starts to act naughty. I've even tried to have her relax with me which ends up in play biting. Anyone else have a Labrador who was like this? I just feel bad having to plop her in it when she's sleepy. onder:

 

[ChessaQ]

I tell my dogs to go lay down, and they know it's time to sleep. I would teach her a cue like that and have her lay down and stay. She'll catch on eventually and know that she needs to go settle. I personally don't really give an option. I reward when they go lay down, but I expect them to do it without complaint. I can't get anything done in chaos.

 

[Savvvylu]

I tell my dogs to go lay down, and they know it's time to sleep. I would teach her a cue like that and have her lay down and stay. She'll catch on eventually and know that she needs to go settle. I personally don't really give an option. I reward when they go lay down, but I expect them to do it without complaint. I can't get anything done in chaos.

I've just recently started doing that, she settles for about five minutes lol it's a work in progress.

 

[Dawnben]

Some dogs just feel more secure and relaxed in the crate. The crate is a good thing not a bad one use it.

 

[Red]

I haven't been on the forum in quite a long time, but our 8 month old pup also can't sleep outside of the crate...he can settle (eg. chew antlers, stuffed toys etc) but can't sleep. I stressed and worried about this for months...and then recently I realised it's no big deal at all

If anything it shows that he's very comfortable with his crate, and whenever he's tired I just pop him into his crate and he sleeps for the next few hours.

I've been told by lots of dog owners that this is very normal, and chances are once he is older he will readily sleep around the house...some people said 12 months, some people said a few years old was when their dog could sleep out the crate. I've decided it's really not something to worry about, but don't worry you're not alone

 

[Savvvylu]

I haven't been on the forum in quite a long time, but our 8 month old pup also can't sleep outside of the crate...he can settle (eg. chew antlers, stuffed toys etc) but can't sleep. I stressed and worried about this for months...and then recently I realised it's no big deal at all

If anything it shows that he's very comfortable with his crate, and whenever he's tired I just pop him into his crate and he sleeps for the next few hours.

I've been told by lots of dog owners that this is very normal, and chances are once he is older he will readily sleep around the house...some people said 12 months, some people said a few years old was when their dog could sleep out the crate. I've decided it's really not something to worry about, but don't worry you're not alone

Thanks for your feedback I always feel guilty putting her in it but she's so tired after walks and playtime. Glad I'm not the only one whose dog does this!